JCP Koike: It is shameful of Abe to refuse to meet ICAN chief

January 16, 2018

Japanese Communist Party Secretariat Head Koike Akira on January 15 at a press conference in the Diet building criticized Prime Minister Abe Shinzo for turning down a request for a meeting made by the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons’ executive director and said, “It is shameful behavior.”

The rejection of the ICAN request was announced by Chief Cabinet Secretary Suga Yoshihide earlier in the day. Suga explained that Abe cannot spare time because of his tight schedule including the ongoing official foreign tour.

Referring to Suga’s explanation, Koike pointed out that Abe will come back from his trip abroad on January 17, a day before ICAN chief Beatrice Fihn will leave Japan. Koike said, “It is possible to arrange a meeting.”

Koike said, “ICAN was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in recognition of its joint efforts with Hibakusha. It is a matter of course for Japan’s leader to heartily welcome the organization’s winning of the award. Abe must meet with Fihn.”